Watch out! Italian suit scam now in Doha!
Beware of an Italian guy named Mr. Gaetano, who is supposedly a Director of Gazaba Milano. This guy asked me today for directions to the airport, saying he just came from some fashion store opening in The Pearl Qatar.
After I told him how to get there, he said he has a gift for me for helping him out. He told me that he has three suits that was given to him by his company and he would give those to me for free. He first showed me one suit and then said he would give me all three if I helped him out with one thing: buy an iPhone 4s for his daughter's birthday.
Smelling a scam, I immediately walked away. I knew there was something fishy with this guy's story and when I checked the Web as soon as I got home, I found this link: http://dubai-jazz.blogspot.com/2009/07/beware-of-this-scam.html.
It seems this scam has been going on in Dubai and Abu Dhabi and now it's here in Doha. Watch out!
Another "scam" in Qatar is shops selling suits with Italian names, but made in Lebanon and Turkey
amras: Good going. Poor Rizks got taken in with the same scam. Buy one lungi, get two free :O(
Today it was in front of Villaggio mall. He said his name was Chillo (?), And his company's business was about to shut down and before he went back to Italy, he wanted to sell some Italian suits that he got as a bonus. He said if I bought one suit for 2700 QR he would give me the other two free. I went online and found this entry and then told him to buzz off. Thank you for the communication about this scam.
Happened again yesterday. Two "Italians" in a silver Chrysler 300. I knew the scam so they were on to a loser with me.
I was approached by this guy yesterday in the car park of Villaggio, at lunch time. The guy asked me for directions to the airport.
I didn't entertain his offer to sell me some suits.
Beware guys.
Sorry all it happened today November 1 2014. Be careful everyone
I was approached by the same scam today at hyatt plaza doha qatar. Italian guy playing the same story of designer for suits and he had an exhibition at blue saloon. He also asked me for director and offered me 3 suits, he wanted and iPhone 5s for his son birthday. He was riding with another guy in a white brand new Jeep Grand Cherokee. Be aware. This happens november 2
i also came across this same guy 4,5 months ago in front of lulu market. he was in his 4WD vehicle and had 3 suit clothes. and he told some story which i didn't care to understand as i have worked in KSA before and well experienced of such dramas.
Guys,
I also got conned by this artist in Dubai! I've done quite a lot of research on the web and found out a lot about it!
It's not 1 person operating alone, there's a gang of 20 to 30 people operating this scam in the UAE for the past 6 years (members of the Mafia). They are originally from Naples, holding fake identities/addresses and they've been searched internationally as they have criminal history in other countries where the scam reached higher levels. They remain in the UAE due to a lack of extradition treaties. This is just one of the many italian organized crimes that have been operated globally.
Organized Crime is nowdays the biggest business in Italy according to the Confesercenti authoritative report, it takes about 250 million dollars a day from retailers and businessmen. The UAE is an important crossroads for business, and as result, also for crime. These gangs normally mantain legitime business holdings worldwide that are offen used as a cover for their criminal operations.
Be aware of this scam! The name he provides (Gaetano) is associated to a range of other scams worldwide. These people are extremelly skilled and enjoy taking honest money from others! The best artists wear suit and tie, and the funny thing is that I recently saw the same guy on a maserati!
CHECK OUT THESE LINKS!
&feature=relmfu
It's like a growing business that they need to expand to other countries. But y'all must be careful maybe he is good in hypnotising people.. :( if you're weak you will be one of the victims :(
TFS, earlier i used to think that all Europeans who are in gulf are good and professional ppl, but after dealing with them i figured out that my theory was wrong.
the same all over the world... the scam suit approach
Good catch!
Mandi
i would've taken the suit & walked away.
Additional information: This Gaetano is bald, on the heavy side and about 55-58 years old.
Reading through the responses from that link I provided, it appears that a lot of people have been victimized in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. They also made several different descriptions of the guy, so I'm guessing that a group of people, not just one guy, is doing this scam.
Forewarned is forearmed, wouldn't it be great if he tried this on a QL'er now, and instead of going to get the phone, he/she gets the police and brings them back instead.
Cheers for that. Like you I wouldn't have fallen for it, but it's interesting to see that it's an established scam and its over here now. I wonder if it is the same guy?
Anyway he wouldn't have had a suit to fit me in any case ;)